Is Grounding Children Effective?

[MrDawn]

Do you think grounding kids and taking away their electronics is effective when they mouth off and are disrespectful?

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

There is no one size fits all punishment for all children, but showing them that there is consequences for their actions is always a good thing.

Grounding them when most of them just sit around at home anyway might not be too effective.

I’d say for teenagers, their electronics are their lives so taking those away is a good start. Cut off the internet to the house too (just in case they have a device you don’t know about).

 

[Kale]

Cannot even see grounding working nowadays at all. My parents have tried every single thing in the book which didn't work as I knew where they hid my game controllers, remote, etc. They stopped doing punishments like that or anything outside of a tongue lashing. Also this was pre mobile phone craze, social media, etc.

 

[PGen98]

Yeah, taking away electronics works for a little bit, but grounding itself isn't going to punish them when most kids are living through devices, anyway.

 

[Web Diva]

It depends on the child, and the behavior that needs to be addressed. Every child is different and every child responds to consequences differently. Taking away electronics, especially the computer was the most effective in my experience.

 

[Dee]

There is no one size fits all punishment for all children, but showing them that there is consequences for their actions is always a good thing.

Grounding them when most of them just sit around at home anyway might not be too effective.

I’d say for teenagers, their electronics are their lives so taking those away is a good start. Cut off the internet to the house too (just in case they have a device you don’t know about).

It's true there's no one size fits all. You have to tailor your expectations and consequences according to age, the child's ability to understand what they've done wrong, etc. What a lot of parents seem to forget, too, is that it's important to be consistent with punishments so that the child will understand each time what the consequence will be. A lot of people struggle with consistency no matter where they are.

 

[fuzzems]

I don't think grounding or taking away electronics works that well. Also, i think parents nowadays just have a "Give me your phone" type instinct to take the phone or electronics away when they get mad.

I think there needs to be a more thoughtful approach. First of all, WHAT are you fighting about with your teen? Take a look at the actual issue and what is related to it. I learned that at times I was just dismissive and flippant towards their thoughts, feelings, desires, with, DO THIS or DO THAT. And, I learned to take a big deep breath when the conflict happens and found that if I responded to them in a softer way that actually conversations ensued and things got resolved. My instinct was to throw down as the Big Bad Parent. And I did that more with my oldest son. I started listening more.. I started just letting them have their VENT moment and then just go give them a hug. And you know what, fighting back with you is a GOOD thing. You want your child to be able to hold their own and stand up for him or herself. As I took at a less combative approach, then the drama from their end diminished greatly as well. Teens especially just want to feel that you HEAR them. Try actually agreeing and taking their point of view. Try admitting when you are wrong as well. It's a two way street.

 

[Kale]

I don't think grounding or taking away electronics works that well. Also, i think parents nowadays just have a "Give me your phone" type instinct to take the phone or electronics away when they get mad.

I think there needs to be a more thoughtful approach. First of all, WHAT are you fighting about with your teen? Take a look at the actual issue and what is related to it. I learned that at times I was just dismissive and flippant towards their thoughts, feelings, desires, with, DO THIS or DO THAT. And, I learned to take a big deep breath when the conflict happens and found that if I responded to them in a softer way that actually conversations ensued and things got resolved. My instinct was to throw down as the Big Bad Parent. And I did that more with my oldest son. I started listening more.. I started just letting them have their VENT moment and then just go give them a hug. And you know what, fighting back with you is a GOOD thing. You want your child to be able to hold their own and stand up for him or herself. As I took at a less combative approach, then the drama from their end diminished greatly as well. Teens especially just want to feel that you HEAR them. Try actually agreeing and taking their point of view. Try admitting when you are wrong as well. It's a two way street.

It is a for sure pick/choose your battles situation with teenagers.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

It depends on the child, and he behavior that needs to be addressed. Every child is different and every child responds to consequences differently. Taking away electronics, especially the computer was the most effective in my experience.

With a name like @Web Diva I can see why taking away your computer would be effective!

It's true there's no one size fits all. You have to tailor your expectations and consequences according to age, the child's ability to understand what they've done wrong, etc. What a lot of parents seem to forget, too, is that it's important to be consistent with punishments so that the child will understand each time what the consequence will be. A lot of people struggle with consistency no matter where they are.

I could have done a little better on my consistency when my kid was little.

I don't think grounding or taking away electronics works that well. Also, i think parents nowadays just have a "Give me your phone" type instinct to take the phone or electronics away when they get mad.

I think there needs to be a more thoughtful approach. First of all, WHAT are you fighting about with your teen? Take a look at the actual issue and what is related to it. I learned that at times I was just dismissive and flippant towards their thoughts, feelings, desires, with, DO THIS or DO THAT. And, I learned to take a big deep breath when the conflict happens and found that if I responded to them in a softer way that actually conversations ensued and things got resolved. My instinct was to throw down as the Big Bad Parent. And I did that more with my oldest son. I started listening more.. I started just letting them have their VENT moment and then just go give them a hug. And you know what, fighting back with you is a GOOD thing. You want your child to be able to hold their own and stand up for him or herself. As I took at a less combative approach, then the drama from their end diminished greatly as well. Teens especially just want to feel that you HEAR them. Try actually agreeing and taking their point of view. Try admitting when you are wrong as well. It's a two way street.

Very well thought out response, makes a lot of sense to me!

 

[Web Diva]

@Nebulous everyone has their kryptonite; electronics and the pc is mine and my daughter's

@fuzzems agreed, listening to your children and creating a healthy environment for open conversation wins every time!

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

@Nebulous everyone has their kryptonite; electronics and the pc is mine and my daughter's

*takes away your computer and electronics*
....jk